Baltic Shipyard
The Open Joint Stock Company Baltic Shipyard (Baltiysky Zavod, previously known as Shipyard 189 named after Grigoriy Ordzhonikidze) (Russian: Балтийский завод имени Grigoriy Ordzhonikidze) ranks among Russia’s most historic shipbuilding enterprises and serves as a vital component of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. Situated on Vasilievsky Island in Saint Petersburg, it is one of three operational shipyards within the city. Throughout its history, the yard has constructed numerous battleships for the Imperial Russian Navy as well as Soviet nuclear-powered icebreakers. Presently, its production centers on commercial vessels and Russian floating nuclear power plants, complementing the Admiralty Shipyard’s focus on diesel-electric submarine manufacturing.
History
Established in 1856 by the St. Petersburg merchant M. Carr alongside Scotsman Murdoch L. MacPherson, the facility was originally known as Carr and MacPherson. It was responsible for building Uragan-class monitors in 1864 before changing ownership to Prince Ochtomski in 1874. By 1934, the yard began fabricating prototypes for the Soviet S-class submarines, which were influenced by German engineering. In 1936, it was renamed Zavod 189 'im. Sergo Ordzhonikidze', becoming a key asset in the Soviet naval production network.
During the financial turmoil of Russia in 1998, Inkombank acquired a 16% shareholding in Baltic Shipyard, highlighting its role within broader industrial investment schemes. The shipyard continues to be a prominent force within Russia’s maritime construction sector, contributing actively to both military and commercial shipbuilding.
21st century
Currently, Baltic Shipyard manufactures warships, large-scale cargo ships, and ice-class vessels. As of 2021, its workforce exceeds 6,000 employees and it has completed over 600 ships throughout its existence. In 2011, it was integrated into JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), with USC vice-president Valery Venkov appointed as CEO.
In the mid-2010s, Baltic Shipyard commenced production of the Project 22220 class—the largest and most powerful nuclear-powered icebreakers constructed by Russia—enabling uninterrupted navigation throughout the western Arctic region year-round. Notable vessels launched include the nuclear icebreaker Arktika in June 2016, followed by Sibir in September 2017, and the 173-meter-long Ural in May 2019. The fourth unit, Yakutia, was laid down in May 2020.
These developments emphasize Baltic Shipyard’s strategic commitment to producing advanced Arctic-capable vessels, strengthening its position and expanding its footprint within the global market for nuclear icebreaker construction.
See also
- MV Highlanders and MV Blue Puttees, ferries constructed mainly at this shipyard with their final assembly carried out at Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder located in Rissa, Norway
- Russian naval warships including: Peresvet-class battleship, Borodino-class battleship, Borodino-class battlecruiser, Andrei Pervozvanny-class battleship, Gangut-class battleship, Kronshtadt-class battlecruiser, Sverdlov-class cruiser, and the battlecruiser Petr Velikiy
- Nuclear-powered icebreakers such as the Taimyr-class nuclear icebreaker and the Arktika-class icebreaker
- Submarine category: Dekabrist-class submarine
- Additional shipbuilding yards and related facilities: Baltijos Laivų Statykla (Lithuania), Admiralty Shipyard, Severnaya Verf, and the Russian floating nuclear power plant
References
External links
- Official website (in Russian)
- Official website (English version)
- Baltiysky Zavod JSC featured on the Federation of American Scientists platform
- Baltic Shipyard information provided by the Nuclear Threat Initiative
